Plotting a coast from Mashpee in Cape Cod to Portsmouth, NH

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Author Topic:   Plotting a coast from Mashpee in Cape Cod to Portsmouth, NH

skota1957 posted 02-09-2008 05:16 PM ET (US)
We are planning to take our 17' Boston Whaler from Poppennosett Bay in Mashpee, Ma to Portsmouth, NH.
The plan is to leave Mashpee, ma sometime in the warm month of July 2008 going through the Cape Cod canal and hugging the costline til we get to Portsmouth, NH.
We plan on spending the nights in a B&D along the coast line at various marinas along the shoreline.
Any advice on plotting our coast considering the following:
Stoping Points
We have two 6 gallion tanks for fuel
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
ShoestringBay
jamesmylesmcp posted 02-09-2008 08:46 PM ET (US)
That sounds good,I also plan to pass that way in July not sure of dates,I'll follow your post, Jim http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/000922.html
home Aside posted 02-10-2008 09:55 AM ET (US)
In 2004 I did 613 Miles in 8 days on My 1982 Montauk with 1982 Evinrude 90 on a trip to the North Channel / Georgian Bay of Lake Huron.
I had two OEM 12 gallon metal gas tanks and carried an extra 6 gallon gerry can of fuel. According to my GPS mileage numbers, with a combination of no wake speed & cruising speeds I averaged approximately 55 miles per 12 gallon tank.
I'm not familiar with the run your making, but I would do some analysis of the fuel usage on your rig, availability of gas along the way, etc....sounds like it will be a fun trip.
Pat
newt posted 02-10-2008 12:01 PM ET (US)
That sounds like a great trip you are planning. I can help you out between Cape Anne and Portsmouth, but not any farther south.
You can make it from Gloucester to Newburyport almost entirely inland if you wanted to avoid bad weather or rough conditions or just for a change of pace. From Gloucester Harbor, follow the Blyman Canal to the Annisquam River and out to Ipswich Bay. Check out chart #13281 or #13279. From the mouth of the Annisquam, cut across the bay to the Plum Island Sound where the Ipswich, Rowely, and Parker Rivers all empty. If the tide is up, you can follow the Plum Island River over to the Merrimack River. Here is the Route through the plum Island River.
http://home.comcast.net/~nathan007/Plum-Island-Chart-Marked.jpg
There is fuel on the Merrimack River, but the dock is several miles in from the mouth. Up near Portsmouth on the south side of New Castle Island in Little Harbor, there is an easy fuel dock at the Wentworth. Along the way, I'm sure you could stop in Hampton Harbor or Rye Harbor for fuel, although I never have.
Good luck with your trip. Keep us posted and let me know if you need any specific info.
newt posted 02-10-2008 12:04 PM ET (US)
Here is the full Chart of Plum Island Sound.
http://home.comcast.net/~nathan007/Plum_Island_Chart.pdf
aubv posted 02-10-2008 12:05 PM ET (US)
skota1957,
I make the trip from MV into the Cape Cod canal and out past Provincetown to fish and back to MV in a day with no problem.

Depending on where you will launch from, Portsmouth, NH could be done in a single day, if you want. I estimate from the east end of the canal to Portsmouth, NH to be about 130 miles. If the goal is to stop along the way, why not Provincetown, Gloucester, Portsmouth?
Some things to consider, the tide in the canal and speed limits can make the canal an hour trip. If you haven't traversed the canal it certainly is worth doing, as it's pretty interesting to see large ocean going ships in the canal. However, another option might be to trailer to Sandwich or Barnstable.
There is fuel available at the Sandwich Basin at the east end of the canal. I would recommend you spend some time and put together a note book with lists of harbor masters and phone numbers as they are a great resource.
Also, a Garmin Charplotter GPS(among others) have virtually every marina along the way with locations, phone numbers and lists of services like fuel, food, etc.
The biggest concern, fog.
If you need more info or want to talk send me an e-mail. It is a very real possibility that I will be making more than one trip during that time frame and if nothing else would consider being an assist boat in the area for peace of mind.
GreatBayNH posted 02-10-2008 07:49 PM ET (US)
Let me know how the trip goes. I've been thinking of making a trip down to Boston and have the same sort of questions. I've pondered going from Portsmouth to Provincetown. Is that a doable trip in a Montauk 170?
Out of curiosity what made you choose Portsmouth as a destination?
what's a B&D?
-Seth
skota1957 posted 02-11-2008 03:23 PM ET (US)
Seth,
A B&D is for bed and breakfast....for overnight stay. The reason Portsmouth is because next to Burlington, VT, that;s my favorite new england town....My first choice was Burlington, VT...but I dont think that's possible from Cape Cod...maybe...but I am not quite sure.
Newt: I will probably be calling on you and will absolutely keep everyone abreast of our progress on this forum.
I just turned 50 yrs old and I am feeling this strange sense of boredom and I need to do something exciting and exhillrating.
Please give me all the advice you may come across...Let me warn that I am not a seasoned boated and neither is my girlfriend.
Let me go back to my research of this effort.
Thanks to all for the input....
ShoeStringBay
aubv posted 02-11-2008 05:44 PM ET (US)
skota1957,
I think you mean B&B?
"....My first choice was Burlington, VT...but I dont think that's possible from Cape Cod...maybe...but I am not quite sure."
Yes, the trip is entirely possible. I took the trip from MV to Burlington, VT by water in August 2004. About 540 miles one way. Worth the trip and hope to do it again this year or next.
GreatBayNH posted 02-11-2008 06:54 PM ET (US)
Portsmouth, NH is next to Burlington, VT? It's a 3 hour drive door to door from Portsmouth, NH to Burlington, VT and that's without summer traffic. Almost an hour of which is taking a two lane road from Portsmouth to Concord, NH (Route 4) winding thru town after town until you hit I89 north. I think I could drive to Mashpee and back in the same amount of time.
But I digress. If you need tips on where to stay/dock/eat in Portsmouth I'd be happy to meet you in the harbor or at Bouy 2KR and guide you in. Portsmouth has a plethora of B&Bs, hotels, art galleries and museums as well as many restaurants of varying tastes. I LOVE Burlington. It's like Portsmouth in many ways, minus the ocean of course.
-Seth
GreatBayNH posted 02-11-2008 07:20 PM ET (US)
Ok, egg on my face!
I re-read your post. I get it now. Next to Burlington, VT, Portsmouth is your favorite NE town.
My bad reading skills strike again!
-Seth
gbcbu posted 02-16-2008 08:40 AM ET (US)
GBNH
I hope you let me know when you are coming down this way Please don't hesitate to call if you need anything.
For perspective I made a run out to the Northern part of Stellwagen Bank last summer. From Boston Light in exceptionaly good weather and conditions it took me about 1 and 1/2 hours.
While there I had a conversation with another whale watcher and he said he was out of Gloucester and it took him about the same time to get out to the Bank.
P town is close by and I know that due East from Ptown to Scituate Harbor is lees than an hour w/o. Like all trips in a Montauk, as you know,you need to pick your days.
All these long range trips for several days is intriguing. I'll have to give it some day dreaming time. Something like Boston, to CC Canal, to Cuttyhunk, to Block Island to Long Island...Geez the way I feel now I just may continue south for the winter...my wife just called and asked what I'm doing...think she can read minds?
GreatBayNH posted 02-16-2008 03:23 PM ET (US)
Jerry,
I wouldn't head to Boston without calling you. That was the plan, abliet, unvoiced until now. I'm buying some new toys for the boat which will boost my confidence for longer distance runs. Knowing my fuel burnage is a huge part of this so I'm hoping to get a fuel flow gauge installed and calibrated before making the trip. Trim gauge and fuel filter/water seperator have been purchased so those will be going in as soon as I can get the boat in the back yard and the temps get back in the upper 50's.

I'll keep you posted on my southerly trip plans. I'd also be game for another run up here with you and Co. this year. Open invite!
-Seth
bkoelbel posted 02-19-2008 09:33 PM ET (US)
skota1957 -
Great trip plan....I'm sure the fellow readers can help you.
Our 2007 fall rendezvous in Newburyport (newt is just the host with the most) was held on a stormy weekend with 3 - 5 foot seas.
CascoBay Outrage (Phil Tyson) has an Outrage 18'....and we did the trip down and back from Portsmouth in some snotty weather. If you're looking to make the trip in a 17' Montauk...just stay close to shore, and you'll find plenty of services and places to stay.
Let us know when you plan to be in Portsmouth or The Isles of Shoals....and we'll have some of us Seacoast Locals meet up with you.

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Author	Topic: Plotting a coast from Mashpee in Cape Cod to Portsmouth, NH
skota1957	posted 02-09-2008 05:16 PM ET (US) We are planning to take our 17' Boston Whaler from Poppennosett Bay in Mashpee, Ma to Portsmouth, NH. The plan is to leave Mashpee, ma sometime in the warm month of July 2008 going through the Cape Cod canal and hugging the costline til we get to Portsmouth, NH. We plan on spending the nights in a B&D along the coast line at various marinas along the shoreline. Any advice on plotting our coast considering the following: Stoping Points We have two 6 gallion tanks for fuel Any thoughts? Thanks, ShoestringBay
jamesmylesmcp	posted 02-09-2008 08:46 PM ET (US) That sounds good,I also plan to pass that way in July not sure of dates,I'll follow your post, Jim http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/000922.html
home Aside	posted 02-10-2008 09:55 AM ET (US) In 2004 I did 613 Miles in 8 days on My 1982 Montauk with 1982 Evinrude 90 on a trip to the North Channel / Georgian Bay of Lake Huron. I had two OEM 12 gallon metal gas tanks and carried an extra 6 gallon gerry can of fuel. According to my GPS mileage numbers, with a combination of no wake speed & cruising speeds I averaged approximately 55 miles per 12 gallon tank. I'm not familiar with the run your making, but I would do some analysis of the fuel usage on your rig, availability of gas along the way, etc....sounds like it will be a fun trip. Pat
newt	posted 02-10-2008 12:01 PM ET (US) That sounds like a great trip you are planning. I can help you out between Cape Anne and Portsmouth, but not any farther south. You can make it from Gloucester to Newburyport almost entirely inland if you wanted to avoid bad weather or rough conditions or just for a change of pace. From Gloucester Harbor, follow the Blyman Canal to the Annisquam River and out to Ipswich Bay. Check out chart #13281 or #13279. From the mouth of the Annisquam, cut across the bay to the Plum Island Sound where the Ipswich, Rowely, and Parker Rivers all empty. If the tide is up, you can follow the Plum Island River over to the Merrimack River. Here is the Route through the plum Island River. http://home.comcast.net/~nathan007/Plum-Island-Chart-Marked.jpg There is fuel on the Merrimack River, but the dock is several miles in from the mouth. Up near Portsmouth on the south side of New Castle Island in Little Harbor, there is an easy fuel dock at the Wentworth. Along the way, I'm sure you could stop in Hampton Harbor or Rye Harbor for fuel, although I never have. Good luck with your trip. Keep us posted and let me know if you need any specific info.
newt	posted 02-10-2008 12:04 PM ET (US) Here is the full Chart of Plum Island Sound. http://home.comcast.net/~nathan007/Plum_Island_Chart.pdf
aubv	posted 02-10-2008 12:05 PM ET (US) skota1957, I make the trip from MV into the Cape Cod canal and out past Provincetown to fish and back to MV in a day with no problem. Depending on where you will launch from, Portsmouth, NH could be done in a single day, if you want. I estimate from the east end of the canal to Portsmouth, NH to be about 130 miles. If the goal is to stop along the way, why not Provincetown, Gloucester, Portsmouth? Some things to consider, the tide in the canal and speed limits can make the canal an hour trip. If you haven't traversed the canal it certainly is worth doing, as it's pretty interesting to see large ocean going ships in the canal. However, another option might be to trailer to Sandwich or Barnstable. There is fuel available at the Sandwich Basin at the east end of the canal. I would recommend you spend some time and put together a note book with lists of harbor masters and phone numbers as they are a great resource. Also, a Garmin Charplotter GPS(among others) have virtually every marina along the way with locations, phone numbers and lists of services like fuel, food, etc. The biggest concern, fog. If you need more info or want to talk send me an e-mail. It is a very real possibility that I will be making more than one trip during that time frame and if nothing else would consider being an assist boat in the area for peace of mind.
GreatBayNH	posted 02-10-2008 07:49 PM ET (US) Let me know how the trip goes. I've been thinking of making a trip down to Boston and have the same sort of questions. I've pondered going from Portsmouth to Provincetown. Is that a doable trip in a Montauk 170? Out of curiosity what made you choose Portsmouth as a destination? what's a B&D? -Seth
skota1957	posted 02-11-2008 03:23 PM ET (US) Seth, A B&D is for bed and breakfast....for overnight stay. The reason Portsmouth is because next to Burlington, VT, that;s my favorite new england town....My first choice was Burlington, VT...but I dont think that's possible from Cape Cod...maybe...but I am not quite sure. Newt: I will probably be calling on you and will absolutely keep everyone abreast of our progress on this forum. I just turned 50 yrs old and I am feeling this strange sense of boredom and I need to do something exciting and exhillrating. Please give me all the advice you may come across...Let me warn that I am not a seasoned boated and neither is my girlfriend. Let me go back to my research of this effort. Thanks to all for the input.... ShoeStringBay
aubv	posted 02-11-2008 05:44 PM ET (US) skota1957, I think you mean B&B? "....My first choice was Burlington, VT...but I dont think that's possible from Cape Cod...maybe...but I am not quite sure." Yes, the trip is entirely possible. I took the trip from MV to Burlington, VT by water in August 2004. About 540 miles one way. Worth the trip and hope to do it again this year or next.
GreatBayNH	posted 02-11-2008 06:54 PM ET (US) Portsmouth, NH is next to Burlington, VT? It's a 3 hour drive door to door from Portsmouth, NH to Burlington, VT and that's without summer traffic. Almost an hour of which is taking a two lane road from Portsmouth to Concord, NH (Route 4) winding thru town after town until you hit I89 north. I think I could drive to Mashpee and back in the same amount of time. But I digress. If you need tips on where to stay/dock/eat in Portsmouth I'd be happy to meet you in the harbor or at Bouy 2KR and guide you in. Portsmouth has a plethora of B&Bs, hotels, art galleries and museums as well as many restaurants of varying tastes. I LOVE Burlington. It's like Portsmouth in many ways, minus the ocean of course. -Seth
GreatBayNH	posted 02-11-2008 07:20 PM ET (US) Ok, egg on my face! I re-read your post. I get it now. Next to Burlington, VT, Portsmouth is your favorite NE town. My bad reading skills strike again! -Seth
gbcbu	posted 02-16-2008 08:40 AM ET (US) GBNH I hope you let me know when you are coming down this way Please don't hesitate to call if you need anything. For perspective I made a run out to the Northern part of Stellwagen Bank last summer. From Boston Light in exceptionaly good weather and conditions it took me about 1 and 1/2 hours. While there I had a conversation with another whale watcher and he said he was out of Gloucester and it took him about the same time to get out to the Bank. P town is close by and I know that due East from Ptown to Scituate Harbor is lees than an hour w/o. Like all trips in a Montauk, as you know,you need to pick your days. All these long range trips for several days is intriguing. I'll have to give it some day dreaming time. Something like Boston, to CC Canal, to Cuttyhunk, to Block Island to Long Island...Geez the way I feel now I just may continue south for the winter...my wife just called and asked what I'm doing...think she can read minds?
GreatBayNH	posted 02-16-2008 03:23 PM ET (US) Jerry, I wouldn't head to Boston without calling you. That was the plan, abliet, unvoiced until now. I'm buying some new toys for the boat which will boost my confidence for longer distance runs. Knowing my fuel burnage is a huge part of this so I'm hoping to get a fuel flow gauge installed and calibrated before making the trip. Trim gauge and fuel filter/water seperator have been purchased so those will be going in as soon as I can get the boat in the back yard and the temps get back in the upper 50's. I'll keep you posted on my southerly trip plans. I'd also be game for another run up here with you and Co. this year. Open invite! -Seth
bkoelbel	posted 02-19-2008 09:33 PM ET (US) skota1957 - Great trip plan....I'm sure the fellow readers can help you. Our 2007 fall rendezvous in Newburyport (newt is just the host with the most) was held on a stormy weekend with 3 - 5 foot seas. CascoBay Outrage (Phil Tyson) has an Outrage 18'....and we did the trip down and back from Portsmouth in some snotty weather. If you're looking to make the trip in a 17' Montauk...just stay close to shore, and you'll find plenty of services and places to stay. Let us know when you plan to be in Portsmouth or The Isles of Shoals....and we'll have some of us Seacoast Locals meet up with you.